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Gunung Rajah

One of the longest, steepest climbs within reach of Kuala Lumpur, starting at a popular waterfall

Difficulty
Expert
Duration
10 to 14 hours return, often broken into two days with an overnight camp
Summit elevation
1685 m

At 1,685 metres, Gunung Rajah sits on the Selangor-Pahang border in the Main Range and is one of the toughest day hikes accessible from Kuala Lumpur, with close to 2,100 metres of total ascent over the round trip. The route starts at Chamang Waterfall near Bentong, crosses farmland and several river crossings, then climbs steeply through upper montane forest to a summit with views back over the waterfall valley. Most hikers treat it as a two-day trip rather than a single push.

Highlights

  • Chamang Waterfall as both the trailhead and a reward on the way out
  • Several river crossings through farmland before the climb proper begins
  • A steep, sustained ascent through upper montane forest
  • Summit views back over the Bentong valley

Getting there

Chamang Waterfall and the Gunung Rajah trailhead are about an hour east of Kuala Lumpur, off the Karak Highway near Bentong. There is no public transport to the trailhead; most groups drive or arrange transport through their guide.

Safety tips

This is one of the more serious mountains on the site: the ascent is long, the final sections are steep and often muddy, and the early river crossings can rise quickly after rain further upstream, out of sight of the trailhead. Groups that camp partway up should factor extra water and a reliable water source into the plan, since the upper trail has little.

What to bring

  • Full overnight gear if splitting the climb over two days
  • Trekking poles for the river crossings and the steep upper sections
  • At least 3 litres of water, more if camping
  • A printed or saved copy of the permit; some checkpoints ask to see it